The way the Derby prep season is shaping up, that could change. Todd Pletcher has a shot at saddling six or seven of the 20 3-year-olds who will be led into the starting gate at Churchill Downs on May 4.

``Right now, at this stage, I can't recall having this depth,'' the trainer said during a conference call Tuesday, adding that great expectations in mid-February can turn quickly by the first Saturday in May. ``But we are hopeful we're able to keep it going.''

Pletcher's posse of prospects is led by Shanghai Bobby, who remains No. 1 in the AP's latest Run to the Roses list of Top 10 Derby contenders.

Also on the list are No. 4 Violence, No. 5 Verrazano and No. 8 Overanalyze. Other Pletcher 3-year-olds considered to be on the Derby trail include Capo Bastone, Delhomme, Palace Malice and Revolutionary.

``At this point, it's as many as six or seven,'' he said, ``but none of them have gotten there yet.''

Pletcher and two Hall of Famers, D. Wayne Lukas and Nick Zito, share the record of five starters in a Derby. Only Lukas came out a winner, with Grindstone in 1996.

The new Top 10 has one change - Super Ninety Nine moves in at No. 7 for trainer Bob Baffert after an 11 1/4 -length romp in the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Monday.

This weekend, two to of Pletcher's charges are ready to run: Violence is the morning-line favorite in a field of 11 for Saturday's Fountain of Youth and Palace Malice has a chance to step up in Saturday's Risen Star at the Fair Grounds, a race that drew a field of 15.

As for Shanghai Bobby, the colt had his first workout Sunday since his first career loss in the Holy Bull last month. Pletcher said the son of Harlan's Holiday ran ``extremely well'' in the Holy Bull, but was tired for a week after the race. Now ``his energy level is good and he's back to serious training.''

Shanghai Bobby will be on a weekly workout regimen leading to his final Kentucky Derby prep, the Florida Derby on March 30.

This weekend marks a huge increase in points awarded for the first four finishers in designated prep races. The breakdown is 50-20-10-4 for both the Fountain of Youth and the Risen Star. If more than 20 are entered for the Derby, the field will be determined for the first time by point totals rather than graded stakes earnings.

It was a good holiday weekend for Baffert, who spent a few days vacationing in Mexico while his horses were winning in Arkansas and California. In addition to his win with Super Ninety Nine at Oaklawn, his Shakin It Up won the seven-furlong San Vicente at Santa Anita.

2. Itsmyluckyday (Eddie Plesa Jr., Elvis Trujillo): Holy Bull winner has plenty of time to get ready for final prep. ... Next workout set for Friday in Florida. ... Owned by Laurie Plesa and Trilogy Stable. ... Next start: Florida Derby. ... Odds: 13-1.

3. Goldencents (Doug O'Neill, Kevin Krigger): Sham winner worked 6 furlongs in 1:13.40 last week at Santa Anita. ... Trainer of Derby, Preakness winner I'll Have Another has another contender in He's Had Enough (set to run Saturday in Fountain of Youth). Co-owned by Rick Pitino. ... Next start: San Felipe, Santa Anita, March 9. ... Odds: 20-1.

4. Violence (Pletcher, Javier Castellano): All eyes will be on heavily favored colt in 3-year-old debut. ... Won all three races last year, including CashCall Futurity (Dec. 15). ... Next start: Fountain of Youth, Gulfstream Park, Saturday. ... Odds: 13-1.

5. Verrazano (Pletcher, John Velazquez) ... Worked 4 furlongs in 48.05 at Palm Meadows on Sunday. ... Has a pair of wins at Gulfstream by a combined 24 lengths .... Next start: Tampa Bay Derby, Tampa Bay Downs, March 9. ... Odds: 11-1.

7. Super Ninety Nine (Baffert, Rafael Bejarano): Looked super in winning Southwest by 11 1/4 lengths over slop Monday. ... Now 2-for-2, but next start could be back at Oaklawn or home at Santa Anita. ... Next start: Undecided. Odds: 47-1.

9. Den's Legacy (Baffert, Garrett Gomez): Just two wins from 10 starts, but has run second five times. ... Ran second in Robert B. Lewis and Sham. ... Next start: Gotham or Rebel, Oaklawn Park, March 16 ... Odds: 77-1.

Mike DempseyMike covers the New York racing circuit (Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Saratoga) year round as well as Keeneland, Churchill Downs, the Triple Crown, and the Breeders' Cup.The 2015 Triple Crown saw Mike correctly predict American Pharoah to win both the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. Mike nailed the Exacta and Trifecta in the Belmont Stakes.Mike had a solid 2014 Triple Crown race season, correctly picking the winning horse in 2 of 3 races. He selected I'll Have another to win The Preakness, and nailed Union Rags to win the Belmont Stakes as his top pick.Mike also had past succes in the Kentucky Derby, winning with Animal Kingdom in 2011 and rode his top picks, Super Saver and Street Sense, to the finish line in 2010 and 2007 respectively.No handicapper in the industry works harder to bring you analysis that produces profits at the track!Mike's Reports include his selections, detailed analysis, a fair odds line, and wagering recommendations for the entire card.Join Mike daily with top picks from Aqueduct or Gulfstream Park. You can also get his Weekend Best Plays Report in his Multi-Track package or sit at the track with him for 30 Days with his Monthly Horse Package!

HORSE RACING EXPERT

Jerry SessaJerry "Shots" Sessa has been involved in horse racing for over 30 years. He now brings his meticulous handicapping style to VegasInsider.com. When Jerry posts picks you are getting his best bets...when you win, he wins.Jerry opened the 2016 Triple Crown season by hitting his Derby Day best bet, Nyquist. He also nailed the Derby exacta for a $30.60 payout. On 4/16/16 at Keeneland, Jerry hit an $819 exacta that led to a $38k Trifecta & a $300k Super.

In the 2015 Belmont Stakes Jerry dominated races 8-11 by hitting a $4,400 Pick 4, 3 Daily Doubles, 2 Pick 3's and calling American Pharoah as the first Triple Crown winner in 36 years.Jerry is always looking to repeat his 2012 Triple Crown success, when he selected the winning horses for The Preakness and The Belmont Stakes.Jerry looks forward to working with everyone and making money for anyone who invests in his picks on a daily basis.Join Jerry daily with picks from
Aqueduct and Gulfstream Park
or choose a package that contains selections from Multiple Tracks for the LOW PRICE of $19.95! Or better yet, how about 30 Days of horse racing picks with his Monthly Racing Package for ONLY $99.95!

VegasInsider.com is not a gambling site, and does not accept or place wagers of any type. This website does not endorse or encourage illegal gambling. All information provided by this website is for news and entertainment purposes only. Any use of this information in violation of federal, state, provincial or local laws is strictly prohibited.

Activities offered by advertising links to other sites may be deemed an illegal activity in certain jurisdictions. This website assumes no responsibility for the actions by and makes no representation or endorsement of any activities offered by an advertiser.